With longer days and warmer temperatures already upon us, it is safe to say that summer is here.

For many of us, we look forward to spending time outdoors, basking in the sun, and enjoying outdoor activities. However, the sun isn't the only thing that you should be soaking up this summer. Here are some important summer safety tips to keep your pet comfortable and happy this season.

Keep Your Pet Out of the Midday Sun

The temperatures are always highest, and the sun is always strongest in the middle of the day. This is when your furbaby is most likely to become sunburnt, burn her paws on the ground, or be overcome with the heat. If you have a cat, keep her indoors until the sun sets or if you have a dog, keep her inside during the hottest part of the day. Save any walks until the temperature is much cooler. A good tip is to check the ground with your own bare feet first. If it seems too hot for you to walk on, it is too hot for your pet to walk on too.

Let Her Rest in the Coolest Room in the House

Although the idea of sitting inside with the curtains closed may be unappealing to you, it can be just what your pet needs if the temperatures become unbearable. Figure out which is the coolest room in your house and set your furbaby up in there. Pop in a water dish and her favorite toy, making sure that there is some circulation provided either by an open window, fan, or both. Encourage your pet to hang out in this space when the rest of the house and yard becomes too hot to be comfortable.

Buy Pet Sunscreen

Sunburn doesn't just affect humans, there are plenty of pets, especially short-haired varieties, that are at risk of experiencing this painful condition too. Fortunately, there are a number of pet sunscreens available that will protect her skin. Make sure you choose these over human sunscreens which can be toxic to animals.

Water, Water, Water!

There is no time that water is more important for your pet than in the height of summer. Dehydration in animals can be deadly, so making sure that your furbaby is drinking enough is essential. Add a few ice cubes into her water dish to make her drink even more refreshing. If your pet doesn't mind a bath or shower, you can also utilize cool water to keep her more comfortable when the heat becomes overwhelming. Run her soothing bath, let her have a supervised dip in the pool, or spray her with the hose to provide her with some relief!

Be Careful with Your Summer Foods

Summer brings us the opportunity to indulge in lots of foods and drinks that we might not have at other times of the year. Whether you intentionally share food with your pet, or she has the knack of whipping food off of tables and plates when you aren't looking, it is imperative that you are aware of the dangers that certain items pose to your pet. Some of the summer foods and drinks that are toxic or dangerous to animals include:

• Garlic and onion
• Nuts
• Corn on the cob
• Avocado/guacamole
• Large amounts of dairy (such as ice cream)
• Undercooked meat
• Meat containing bones
• Candy
• Alcoholic drinks

Make sure that you don't leave food unattended and clear finished plates immediately so that they aren't left hanging around with leftovers for your pet to poach.

If you would like more tips on the best way to keep your pet as safe as possible during this summer, our experienced team would be happy to give you their advice and support. Please call our animal clinic in Hendersonville, TN at (615) 824-0580 to speak to us or to schedule an appointment.